Why Training Fails: Loose Lead Walking

Have you ever wondered why I advocate for using harnesses and food as the primary tools for dog training? In a world filled with prongs, haltis, and slip leads promising quick results, it's essential to understand the underlying causes of your dogs Behaviours. In this blog post, I'll delve into the reasons why we prioritise harnesses and food and why that truly is all you need when you’re doing things right. Open your mind and get ready for a life-changing perspective on dog training!


Addressing the Whole Dog:

As your mentor, my role extends beyond addressing simple behaviour issues like lead pulling. Dogs can pull on the lead and the training fails for various reasons, such as high arousal, under stimulation, frustration, or stress. It's crucial to recognise that relying solely on equipment doesn't train a dog; it only forces the behaviour to stop. The root causes of pulling still persist, and the dog needs more help in the future as they develop further issues.


The Power of Reinforcement:

All you need to teach a dog a behaviour is a reinforcer, such as food. You may have tried using food rewards and felt frustrated when your dog didn't respond as expected. Leaving you asking your self “why aren’t they accepting the foods?” “Why do they take it and go back to pulling?” “Why can’t they focus?” 

But here's the secret: those difficulties are symptoms of those underlying issues.


A Shift in Perspective:

If you're not achieving the desired results by being kind to your dog, don't resort to force. Instead, take a step back from training and focus on improving your dog's mental state. By doing so, you'll create a solid foundation for training success when you return to training. This is exactly what MK9Plus was made for.


Long-Lasting Results:

By helping the entire dog, you'll witness remarkable, long-lasting results. With time and proper guidance, you can phase out the food rewards and rely on a deeper understanding of your dog's needs and motivations. Furthermore, by addressing the underlying issues, you can prevent other behavioural problems from arising in the future.


Conclusion:

Harnesses, food, and a holistic approach to training are not just mere tools; they represent a philosophy that prioritises the well-being and understanding of the whole dog. By delving beyond surface-level behaviours, you can tap into the profound potential within your canine companion. Embrace this shift in perspective, and let's embark on a journey to create a stronger bond and achieve long-lasting results together, with MK9Plus.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Ways to Fix Hit & Miss RECALL!

For dog owners, hit and miss recall can be both frustrating and anxiety-inducing. Walks shouldn't be dictated by chance, but should instead offer moments of leisure and bonding. If you find yourself battling with this issue, here's a guide to understanding unpredictable recall, full lessons are on mk9plus.com 1. Addressing Frustration The Root of Desperation: Many dogs are innately frustrated. This makes them desperate to chase every scent or dog they come across. Understanding and addressing this pent-up energy is crucial. They often feel this way because they aren't provided the right outlets to expend their energy. 2. The Significance of Vet Checks Health Matters: A lot of dogs manifest behavioural issues due to underlying health concerns. Hyperactivity can sometimes be a symptom of issues such as stomach problems. Ensuring regular vet checks can rule out medical causes for erratic behaviour. 3. Understanding Your Dog's Window Beyond Walks: It's a common misconce...
Read more

Changing dogs behaviour on walks, without training

It's All About Your Dog's Window! This window is what ruins recall, creates obsession, and leads to hyperactivity in your dog. By "window," I mean their window of opportunity! Two hours a day is the most common duration I see people taking their dogs out for, and that's amazing, so keep it up. However, one thing you have to keep in mind is, if you aren't providing your dog with outlets or mental stimulation at home, you're training your dog to empty their energy reserve within those two hours every day, because that's their window of opportunity to live their life. Side Note: We also have to consider the nature of these walks. If we have a dog that isn't bred for exploring and hunting, like our sight hounds, scent hounds, or terriers, relying solely on walks for stimulation may not be enough. Many dogs are bred for specific tasks, and it's perfectly fine to fill most of their outdoor time with those tasks. Remember, that time is for them, and t...
Read more

Bored Dogs… the real issue

If your dog is bored, don't just try to keep them occupied. They'll get bored of that, just like they did before. Instead, ask yourself, "Why is my dog always awake?". This is what will lead to major behavioural issues over time and behavioural problems are what we call symptoms of underlying issues. Boredom means your dog is lacking what they really need, so looking for ways to keep them occupied is not the advice to look form. Dogs require 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day, and when they're asleep, they're not bored. However, this is only achievable if they're engaged in activities that meet their needs while they're awake (living the right life fro them). It's not always about doing more; it's about doing the right things. There's more to having a dog than just trying to tire them out. To achieve this, we need to understand what our dogs were bred for. Even if you don't know your dog's breed, because you know know the breed, we can...
Read more